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Onöndowa'ga Park, A Christmas Carol, the Grinch

Breakfast with Santa, Tot Learning Center earns gold, Holiday Carolers +


December 6, 2024

It's officially Onöndowa'ga Park!

The former Seneca Park is now Onöndowa’ga Park, with the new updated park sign also including the subheading, “People of the Great Hill.” Click here for the pronunciation (uh-NUN-doh-WAAH-gah).


The Skokie Park District board of commissioners voted unanimously in July to rename three Skokie parks at the request of the parks’ namesake Tribal Nations, and as part of the district’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiative that was embarked upon in 2022. The Seneca Nation specifically asked for the park name change as indicated on the new sign.


The district's two remaining new park signs, Mamaceqtaw Park for Menominee, and Sequoyah Park for Sequoya, are expected to be manufactured and installed sometime in 2025. The district's Jeff Hacker (seen above) hand made the sign, as he has done for every park and facility sign (more than 50) throughout the district since 1992.


Read the entire new park names story here.

Don't miss Sunday's Grinch Skate!

The Grinch hated the holidays, the whole rotten season. Now, please don't ask why. No one quite knows the reason.


It could be, perhaps, that his shoes were too tight. It could be his head wasn't screwed on just right.


But I think that the most likely reason of all, may have been that his heart was two sizes too small.


But in the end the true meaning of the holiday came through, and the Grinch found the strength of ten Grinches, plus two!


And now that his heart doesn't feel so tight, he will whizz into town through the afternoon light.


With a smile in his soul, he will descend Mount Crumpet, cheerily blowing on his Devonshire trumpet.


He will cruise into the Skatium, quite fast –– no, not pokey. To deliver his cheer to the people of Skokie!


Public skating: $7 / Skate rental $3


Sunday, December 8, 2–3:15 p.m.

Skatium Ice Arena

9340 Weber Park Pl.

See this holiday classic on stage!

Celebrate the holiday season with the Thin Ice Theatre Ensemble's heartwarming production of A Christmas Carol. Join us for a magical journey through Charles Dickens' classic tale, filled with unforgettable performances and festive spirit.


Friday, December 13, 7 p.m.

Saturday, December 14, 3 p.m. & 7 p.m.

Sunday, December 15, 3 p.m.

Devonshire Playhouse

4400 Greenwood St.


Students: $15

Adults: $20

Purchase tickets here

Enjoy Breakfast with Santa!

Please join us for a hot buffet breakfast, crafts, and a raffle. Santa is excited to visit and take photos with you and your family! All adults and children must pre-register for this event.


Fee per person: $20/$22


Register by December 9.


Saturday, December 14, 9:30–11:30 a.m.

Oakton Community Center

4701 Oakton St.

Register here

Book holiday carolers for your neighborhood!

Through December 22

Give the gift of song! Our carolers will sing in your Skokie neighborhood.


Fee: $50


Contact Rebecca at (847) 929-7425 or email rgoldberg@skokieparks.org to schedule.

Tot Learning Center awarded state gold medal

ExceleRate Illinois, the state's quality rating and improvement system for early learning and development providers, today awarded the Skokie Park District's Tot Learning Center its Gold Circle of Quality.


"Every early learning and development provider who participates in ExceleRate Illinois makes quality a priority," said Cynthia L. Tate Ph.D., executive director of the Governor's Office of Early Childhood Development. "The higher the designation, the higher the program's demonstrated quality and comprehensiveness in meeting children's early learning needs," she said. 


Tot Learning Center offers a full-day childcare program for infants through five-year-old children. Children may be enrolled two to five days per week, open 50 weeks per year. The center also offers special programs such as enrichment classes, family events and parent meetings.​ The program is licensed by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services and nationally-accredited by NAEYC. ​


"We are proud to receive the Gold Circle of Quality," said Fouzia Khan, TLC's childcare services manager. "Providing quality in early learning and development will help our children in Skokie be better prepared for success in school and in life."


ExceleRate Illinois helps families make more informed choices about their children's early learning. It establishes standards to help infants, toddlers and preschoolers develop intellectually, physically, socially and emotionally. Additionally, it provides a framework for early learning and development professionals to identify opportunities to enhance their knowledge and skills.


Research in science and brain development shows that children who are more meaningfully engaged in early learning experiences from infancy through the first five years of life are more likely to be successful in school and in life. With the right engagement, children can form a healthy foundation of neural pathways in the brain, which impact their ability to think, react, process and grow.

Discover winter delights in December!


If you are looking for new and unique ways to have fun in December, the Skokie Park District offers great one-day events, workshops, outings, special events and more.


Click on the calendar below to view it and access its event links.

Click here for the entire calendar of events at the Skokie Park District.

Check out your Winter Programs!

With registration days away, winter classes and events are now viewable online –– and with them the district's Winter Program Guide '25.


This guide offers you and your family a convenient look at an enormous variety of recreational, educational and fitness alternatives, including many winter indoor and outdoor special events.


Celebrate winter by finding a new program, class or hobby at your Skokie Park District!


Click the button below to plan your winter fun.


Resident registration: December 15


Non-Resident registration: December 22

See the Winter Program Guide here

Facility holiday hours

All days not listed will operate during regular hours.


Devonshire Cultural Center

Tuesday, December 24: 9 a.m.–6 p.m. 

Wednesday, December 25: Closed

Thursday–Friday, December 26-27:

9 a.m.–6 p.m.​ 

Saturday, December 28: Closed

Tuesday, December 31: 9 a.m.–6 p.m. 

Wednesday, January 1: Closed

Thursday–Friday,

January 2-3: 9 a.m.–6 p.m.​ 

​Saturday, January 4: 9 a.m.–5 p.m.

Sunday, January 5: 7 a.m.–noon


Emily Oaks Nature Center

Tuesday, December 24: Closed at 2 p.m.

Wednesday, December 25: Closed*

Tuesday, December 31: Open

Wednesday, January 1: Closed*

Trail open daily 8 a.m. to sunset


The Exploritorium

Tuesday, December 24: 9 a.m.–1 p.m. 

Wednesday, December 25: Closed

Tuesday, December 31: Closed for Itty Bitty New Year event 

Wednesday, January 1: Closed


Oakton Community Center

Tuesday, December 24: 8:30 a.m.–1 p.m. 

Wednesday, December 25: Closed

Tuesday, December 31: 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. 

Wednesday, January 1: Closed


Skatium Ice Arena

Tuesday, December 24: Closes at 2 p.m. 

Wednesday, December 25: Closed 

Tuesday, December 31: Closes at 2 p.m. 

Wednesday, January 1: Closed 


Skokie Heritage Museum

Saturday, December 28: Closed


Skokie Sports Park

Tuesday, December 24: 8 a.m.–6 p.m.  

Wednesday, December 25: Closed 

Tuesday, December 31: 8 a.m.–6 p.m. 

Wednesday, January 1: 12–10 p.m. 


Weber Leisure Center & Fitness First Health Club

Tuesday, December 24: 7 a.m.-1 p.m. 

Wednesday, December 25: 7 a.m.-11 a.m. 

Tuesday, December 31: 7 a.m.-1 p.m. 

Wednesday, January 1: 7 a.m.-11 a.m.